The House Ways and Means Committee approved two proposals Tuesday that could pour billions into road and bridge improvements over the next decade: a one-cent state sales tax increase and a 10-cent state gasoline tax increase.

Both measures are sponsored by Rep. Karen St. Germain, a Democrat who chairs the House Transportation Committee and wants to tackle Louisiana's $12 billion backlog of transportation projects.

The committee agreed to the sales tax hike without objection and voted 7-3 for the gas tax. They head next to the full House for consideration.

But they are long-shots.

They require two-thirds support for passage, and Gov. Bobby Jindal opposes tax increases.